Rubber boot.



J. T. CROWLEY. RUBBER BOOT. APPLIOATION FILED APR. 1, 1912.

1,037,448, Patenfed Sept. 3,1912.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: L7.

flu, By Attorneys,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. CROWLEY, OF BEACON FALLS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BEACON FALLS RUBBER SHOE COMPANY, OF BEACON FALLS CONNECTICUT, A CORPORA- TION OF CONNECTICUT.

RUBBER BOOT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. CROWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Beacon Falls, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rubber Boots, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a rubber boot and has for its object to improve the construction thereof by preventing the formation of cracks therein which are due to wrinkles.

My invention consists in the production, in the boot leg, of a plurality of longitudinal ribs which are molded in the outer surface of the boot leg.

In the use of rubber boots the legs have a tendency to sag downward, which results in the formation of wrinkles in the boot leg, and these wrinkles in time develop into cracks and produce leaks in the boot long before the boot is worn out. This tendency is particularly noticeable about halfway down the boot leg. Accordingly I have produced a structure wherein the boot leg is stiffened at intervals and the formation of such wrinkles is retarded and the life of the boot is increased.

A desirable manner of employing my invention is illustrated in the drawing, where- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rubber boot made according to my invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking down.

In carrying my invention into effect the rubber boot A is produced in the usual manner with the exception, however, that upon the outside of the boot leg B I produce a number of longitudinal ribs C. These ribs are formed in the material of which the covering of the rubber boot is made, by being molded therein and vulcanized with the body of the boot so that said ribs are integral with the body portion D of the boot. An increase of the thickness of the boot leg throughout would fail to accomplish the result which I attain for the reason that the boot leg, being then of a uniform thickness at all points, would not have a tendency to resist wrinkling at any one place, and furthermore, that the increased weight would Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 1, 1912.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

Serial No. 687,738.

overcome the increased strength and the leg of the boot would wrinkle as much as though it were thinner. By providing, however, a construction wherein the desired thickness is maintained at all points save at those particular places where the ribs are provided, I stiffen the leg of the boot against transverse wrinkles and thereby retard the formation of such wrinkles and the consequent production of cracks in the rubber boot and thereby increase the life of the boot. Preferably the ribs will be disposed somewhat in the manner shown so that one rib will be situated at about the front of the boot, which place is likewise subject to formation of wrinkles in use. No particular number of ribs are essential, but the number which I have shown and the approximate distance which the same are placed from each other will be found useful. The increase in thickness of the rubber boot at the points wherein the rib is located is very slight. I have found that a rib having an increased thickness of as little as approximately l/lOOths of an 'inch would produce admirable results in the way of decreasing the tendency of the leg to wrinkle. However, this thickness may be increased or diminished according to circumstances and the quality of material employed. I have illustrated the ribs as formed upon the outer surface of the boot as they are conveniently formed at that place and are quite effective, and further, do not tend to detract from the appearance of the boot. But this location of the ribs might be changed, if desired, and other changes might be made therein within the limits of the appended claim.

What I claim is A rubber boot having a plurality of outside ribs upon the leg extending substantially from the top of the leg to the upper and molded in the rubber and each rib having a width substantially exceeding its thickness.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.TOHN T. CROWLEY.

Witnesses ARTHUR M. M. CoMnE, M. W. Boson.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

